Our mission is to share resources that introduce families to products and services to help strengthen, support, and challenge children academically and bring the family unit closer together.
SFC Publishing brings not only children on an adventure into the World of Ink; you’ll also find parents, teachers, authors, illustrators, schools, grandparents, publishers, editors, libraries, and readers around the globe logging on to our Families Matter blog.

Monday, March 30, 2015

Welcome to BTR's featured
World of Ink Network. On today's Stories for Children show, listeners
will get to meet Christa Pierce, a 24-year-old author and illustrator
making her literary debut with Did You Know That I Love You?, published by HarperCollins, which Publisher’s Weekly
calls a “sweetly assuring ode to unconditional love” and Brooke Shields
raves, “I can't wait to read this to my girls. It so sweetly
exemplifies the countless ways in which love is given.”

The show will air live on Monday March 23rd at 4pm Eastern - 3pm Central - 2pm Moutain - 1pm Pacific

Did You Know That I Love You? was originally written as a
letter to her mother during a difficult time in their relationship,
offers a heartfelt story about the importance of expressing your
feelings to those you love.
The World of Ink Network is more than just a blog talk radio show
network, it also offers writing and marketing help. You can learn more
about WOI at http://worldofinknetwork.com

About the Host: Virginia S Grenier is a creative writing instructor
for Dixie State University's CommunityEd program, a freelance content
editor, director of the St. George Book Festival; along with being a
Mom's Chocie and Award-winning author.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Welcome to BTR's featured World of Ink Network. Today, Wed. March
25th (6pm Eastern - 5pm Central - 4pm Mountain - 3pm Pacific) on The
Families Matter show, the hosts will be chatting with author Ingrid
Bencosme, a former schoolteacher, about her interactive book for
children, TEETH FAIRIES.

TEETH FAIRIES is a new, interactive book and doll set celebrating a
child’s tooth loss process. From the age of about 5 to 12, the average
child loses twenty baby teeth. That’s a lot of visits from the Tooth
Fairy! This process is an exciting and sometimes stressful time for both
children and parents.

This is a fantastic tool for moms and dads to help their kids get
excited about losing their teeth and wanting to take care of their
dental health!

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Henry
Hodges was one of the loneliest boys around. He didn’t have any friends
who lived near him, and his house was the last on a dead-end street.

Each day, he swung on his old tire swing, often feeling bored and alone.

His parents often reminded Henry that he was, in fact, very special.
They offered to help Henry find the perfect new friend…it wouldn’t be a
boy or a girl, but a pet who, like Henry, was one-of-a-kind. When they
went to a pet rescue shelter, Henry’s lonely world was changed!

At some point, almost every child struggles with feeling like they don't fit in or are left out, just like Henry Hodges. From New York Times
bestselling author Andy Andrews, this playful and hilarious rhyming
story, complete with charming art, offers comfort to children who feel
left out or are in need of a good friend. This book will be a
favorite among children and parents who love dogs and, ultimately, will
comfort and encourage children who struggle with feeling accepted and
finding friends.

Hailed by a New York Times reporter as "someone who has quietly become one of the most influential people in America," Andy Andrews is
a best-selling novelist, speaker, and consultant for the world's
largest corporations and organizations. He has spoken at the request of
four different United States presidents and recently addressed members
of Congress and their spouses. Andy is the author of three New York Times bestsellers. He and his wife, Polly, have two sons.

About Tommy Nelson Tommy
Nelson® is the children’s division of Thomas Nelson. As a leading
provider of Christian content, Tommy Nelson publishes a wide variety of
high-quality, enjoyable products that are consistent with the teachings
found in the Bible. Tommy Nelson’s award-winning products are designed
to expand children’s imaginations and nurture their faith while
inspiring them to develop a personal relationship with Jesus. For more
information, visit www.tommynelson.com.

Set during the height of World War II, the film centers on a little
boy, Pepper Flynt Busbee (Jakob Salvati), who is willing to do whatever
it takes to end World War II so that he can bring his father home.
Through his struggle, Pepper learns lessons of morality, such as the
value of self sacrifice, how to face the town's bullies (at times
hilariously depicted), the importance of racial equality, and many
lessons in between.

This heartwarming family film expertly captures feelings similar to those recognizable in so many great American movies.

Friday, March 20, 2015

Welcome to BTR's featured
World of Ink Network. Today on The Empowerment Show, founder Dona
Rudderow Sturn will be chatting with our hosts Irene Roth and Traci
McDonald about the first two books in JNP's multi-book series, Jane & Jake’s Adventures to Awesome.

The Empowerment Show will air live on March 20th at 4pm Eastern - 3pm Central - 2pm Mountain - 1pm Pacific

Kids, parents and educators will all enjoy the interactive website, http://thejnpproject.com/.
It features an adult public Forum, Members Only Private Q&A
Professional Forum, a Forum for Kids to talk to Jane & Jake
directly, downloads, and more. JNPgives parents,
teachers, caregivers and counselors the tools to help children develop
confidence, strengthen self-esteem, and grow into assured leaders.

In addition to a focus on building children’s self-esteem, JNP offers
both unparalleled artistry and collaboration among published
international authors in the story development. The 31 chapter-books,
set in three series, are available in traditional as well as digital
interactive book formats.

The JNP Project was born out of the understanding of what makes up the faces of our inner awesome.

Thursday, March 19, 2015

“Aram
Haigaz captures the stark tragedy of the Armenian Genocide in one boy’s
remarkable story of suffering and survival. This English translation is
as riveting and heart-wrenching as the original in Armenian, and, on
the occasion of the Genocide’s centennial, is essential reading for
all.”

--Vartan Gregorian, president, Carnegie Corporation of New York; former president, The New York Public Library

FOUR YEARS IN THE MOUNTAINS OF KURDISTAN
is a remarkable first-hand account by Aram Haigaz, an Armenian-American
author and youthful survivor of the Armenian genocide of 1915. Haigaz
was only 15 when he lost his father, brothers, many relatives and
neighbors to the month-long attack by the military forces of Ottoman
Turkey. He and his mother were put on a forced march and deportation of
Armenians into the Syrian desert, as part of the systematic destruction
of the Christian Armenian population in 1915 by the Ottoman Empire. His
mother urged Aram to convert to Islam in order to survive, after which
he was taken by a Turkish bey into his household. Aram spent four long
years living as a servant and shepherd among Kurdish tribes, rising from
‘infidel’ servant to trusted aide and secretary because of being the only personamong the peasant workers who could read and write.He
grew from a boy to a man in these years and his narrative offers
readers a fascinating coming-of-age story as well as a valuable
eyewitness to history. Haigaz was able to escape to the United States in
1921.

Aram Haigaz was the pen name of Aram Chekenian, an Armenian-American writer who was born in the town of Shabin Karahisar, Turkey. Scholars and historians often cite first book, The Fall of the Aerie, published in an English
translation in 1935, for its eyewitness details of the genocide.
Although he lived in America for most of his life, Aram Haigaz, the
author of ten books in total as well as numerous articles and essays,
wrote only in Armenian.

Translated from the Armenian into English by his daughter, Iris Haigaz Chekenian, FOUR YEARS IN THE MOUNTAINS OF KURDISTAN
is the tale of one young man’s struggle to survive, while also a rich
and compelling narrative of life within a little known ancient society
and tribal culture.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

In the newly published children’s story "The Littlest Loon,"
author Robert Kutter and illustrator Debra Johnson show how a loon chick
hatched late in the season manages to survive and thrive, in spite of
significant challenges.

Born late in June, a full month behind schedule, a baby loon chick finds
itself literally in over its head when the fourth of July holiday brings
water skiers, jet-skis, and pontoon boats to its Minnesota lake.
Bobbing alone in the water, separated from its parents, the tiny chick
struggles to stay afloat as waves threaten to swamp it.

A man and woman watching from shore realize the baby is in peril. They
hop in their fishing boat, speed to the chick, and scoop it up with a
fishing net. Driving to where they last spotted an adult, they release the
peeping chick.

Victory! The parent loons are reunited with their baby.

Having survived the peril of a holiday weekend, the chick grows bigger
and stronger, as revealed in Johnson’s lovely pastel illustrations.
But when summer turns to fall, the parents migrate south, leaving the loon
chick to fend for itself. Now the question is, will it be strong enough to
fly from the lake before ice settles in for the winter?

Kutter comments, "The loon is the state bird of Minnesota and one of the
most beautiful and beloved migratory birds to inhabit the Great Lakes
states and Canada and Alaska during the summer season. After rescuing a
loon chick last summer with my wife, I thought the story would make a good
children’s book about survival and perseverance in the face of
unlikely odds."

Author: Robert Kutter is a retired high school language arts
teacher who lives with his wife Nancy at Big Birch Lake near Grey Eagle,
Minnesota. He edits the lake association newsletter and maintains its web
page and Facebook page and enjoys observing the natural wonders on and near
a body of water.Illustrator: Debra Johnson is a retired high school science
teacher who enjoys working in pastels. Her illustrations for "The Littlest
Loon" were based on photographs taken by the author and others. She too
lives at Big Birch Lake, where she and her husband Craig enjoy the natural
surroundings of water, land, and beautiful sunsets.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Even when
they like to read, kids today usually have higher priorities than writing,
polishing, and publishing a book. Think video games, cell phones, sports,
dance, martial arts classes, and the list goes on.A notable
exception is the young author of the newly published fantasy Snowspirit:
The Virgo Key. Rainye Day, a 14-year-old California native, has spent
much of the last seven years creating this slim novel. Along the way,
she’s piled up numerous writing awards and devoted the vast majority
of her free time to researching, editing, and revising.

Snowspirit begins with a prologue that explains how, with
the help of the traitorous thirteenth horoscopian, a powerful demon god has
trapped the rest of the twelve gods of horoscopes. Together, the demon and
the traitor are biding their time as they plot to take over the universe.
Without the twelve horoscopia, the protectors of the galaxy, nothing seems
to stand in their way.

Enter
12-year-old Elia. She has no inkling of this otherworldly power struggle
and is peeved because the birth of her new baby brother is playing havoc
with her normal schedule. Then the mysterious Snowspirit enlists her to
retrieve the Virgo key, the first step in saving the horoscopia and
preventing doomsday.

Elia and her
dog, Troy, embark on a terrifying journey across a scorching desert, where
Elia’s biggest enemy is the wild. With the odds stacked against her
and the world depending on her, Elia must prove that she is qualified to
join the Snowspirit’s team of twelve. This means risking her life in
impossible conditions as she journeys to find the Virgo key. Along the way,
Elia discovers the magic of new beginnings and unexpected
adventures.

The author
comments, "From glittering snowfields to barren deserts, creating this book
may have taken a toll on my social life, my family, and my school. But
today, when I look back at the long way Snowspirit has come, it has
been rewarding and satisfying. I hope that this book will encourage
children and adults of all ages to not only read, but to write as
well!"She adds, "Be
brave and take the leap!"

"A wonderful
story of a young girl who travels on an amazing journey through the snow
and desert on a quest to find the magical Virgo Key. Rainye Day provides
vivid details and a compelling narrative that will entertain children and
even adults as they follow along on this fantastic adventure." ~
Dr. Rebecca Nee, assistant professor of Journalism & Media
Studies

AUTHOR: The author with the pseudonym Rainye Day is
otherwise known as a passionate reader and writer with big dreams. Born and
raised in San Diego, California, she has been reading and writing since she
was crawling and has won multiple awards in the National PTA Reflections
contest. A black belt martial artist and avid animal lover, she’s
currently a fourteen-year-old ninth-grade student. To see more of her
writing, go to www.rainyeday.com.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

On March 12, join the "Never Give Up Until They Buckle
Up” Tween safety campaign

Parenting a
tween involves compromise. But here’s one rule that’s not up for debate – the
car doesn’t move until everyone is wearing a seat belt. If you say it, and if
parents buckle up themselves, your tween will buckle up. And if they don’t,
that’s a fight worth having. It might just save your tween’s life.

Over the past
5 years, 1,609 kids ages 8-14 were not wearing seat belts when they died in a
crash - one in four were age 14. As children get older they’re less likely to
buckle up. Our “Never Give Up Until They Buckle Up” campaign aims to put an end
to this trend – but we need your help.

On March 12,
NHTSA will hold a Never Give Up Until They Buckle Up Twitter Chat to help
spread the word to parents about the need to wear seat belts. During the chat
you can question NHTSA experts, engage with your followers, and help ensure
that tweens grow up to become young adults and safe drivers. We’ll also have
terrific videos, banners, and other tools you can use to spread this
lifesaving message far and wide.

Who: NHTSA
and Our Team of Experts

What: Tween “Never
Give Up Until They Buckle Up” Twitter Chat (follow along at #kidsbuckleup and #tweens)

How: Use
hashtags #kidsbuckleup and #tweens when the chat is about to start to join in the
conversation. Feel free to mention @NHTSAGov
in any of your tweets and NHTSA will get back to as many of your questions or
comments as they can! Remember to include the hashtags #kidsbuckleup and #tweens in your
comments so others can follow the conversation.

Invite your friends and followers
to join us and help us spread the important message about tweens and seat belts.
Let them know the dangers of failing to wear a seat belt and that parents are
an essential part of protecting their kids by insisting on seat belt use at all
times and by sending the right message by always wearing seat belts themselves.
See you on March 12!

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

In March 2015, Albert
Whitman & Company (Park Ridge, IL) will proudly publish veteran
author-illustrator Maryann Cocca-Leffler's Janine, a sweet and personal story inspired by her own daughter's life as a child with disabilities.

Janine stars a fun-loving girl with a contagious upbeat attitude. Janine is one of a kind.She
talks to her imaginary friends, reads the dictionary for fun, uses lots
of big words, and remembers unusual facts. Some kids think she's
strange and don't want her to come to their "cool" party unless she
changes. Janine stands up for her spectacular self and ends up changing
the attitudes of her classmates.

Maryann's daughter,
Janine, was the inspiration for this delightfully spunky character and
the story itself, which is based on a bullying incident Janine
experienced. Janine Leffler, who bravely gave her mother
permission to tell her story, focuses on the positive while navigating
life with disabilities. She has become a role model to children and
adults, encouraging them to focus on abilities and promoting respect,
tolerance, and kindness.

Cocca-Leffler states, "Through my book, Janine,
I hope to encourage kids to celebrate their differences and stand up
for themselves, as well as inspire all children to stand up for those
who are left out or bullied."

Maryann Cocca-Leffler
has written and illustrated over 50 children's books and lives and works
in New Hampshire. Her spring 2015 school visit program is entitled
Stand Up, Inspire, Include & Invite. She and Janine are available to
come to schools, libraries, bookstores, and beyond to help get children
excited about reading and writing, inspire those with challenges, and
encourage acceptance of all.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

We all seem to encounter bullies in our lives from time to time.
Bullies are a fact of life. Kids seem to be the most prone to be bullied
by others. A bully is anyone who keeps doing something that has the
power to hurt you. Once a bully finds out what hurts you, they sometimes
keep doing or saying the same hurtful things over and over.

If this happens to you, here are a few things you can do.
1. Spend any free time with your friends. Bullies hardly ever pick on you if you're in a group.
2.
Tell the bully to stop and walk away whenever the bully starts his/her
tactics. Be as stern as you can be to make sure that (s)he knows that
you aren't kidding and that a no nonsense message is passed on.
3.
Tell a trusted adult about the person's bullying behaviour. This isn't
telling tales. This is about keeping yourself safe, which is of ultimate
importance if you're being bullied.
4. If you can, try to act as
if you are unaffected by the bully's tactics to undermine you. This
could dissuade the bully from persisting because bullies love to see you
upset. If you appear not to be upset, some bullies may stop as there is
no more incentive for them to continue.
5. Don't lash out at the
bully, either physically or emotionally. Instead, stay strong and walk
away. Otherwise, you may be accused of being a bully yourself.
6.
Bullies are usually angry people. So, it's best if you don't reciprocate
a bullies tactics or attitude without support from others. If in doubt,
just calmly walk away.

Just because bullies are all around,
doesn't mean that you have to tolerate bullying behavior or actions.
The best remedy for bullying is to stay strong and focused and walk away
as if you are unaffected. Bullies hate that!

****

Irene Roth is a freelance writer for kids and teens. She
specializes in writing nonfiction articles on relationship issues and
commitment. She also writes articles about writing for freelance
writers.

PLEASE NOTE

*Stories for Children Publishing, LLC. (SFC) and its divisions do not receive any compensation for product reviews beyond a sample and/or limited access to a paid website. SFC donates all books sent for review to a charitable organization. SFC may do a contest or giveaway of samples we receive.